Crusaders v Blues a.k.a. NZ's festum odii

[Yoda]

I have nightmares the Crusaders will finish 8th and go on to win the whole fucking thing

They will beat Moana… Brumbies will beat Force.Can Rebels beat Fiji in Fiji? Probably not? I think you can relax!

 

[Dan54]

Pretty confident even if Crusaders did sneak into top 8 they would get knocked out in first week anyway.

 

[Tomikin]

Pretty confident even if Crusaders did sneak into top 8 they would get knocked out in first week anyway.

I didn't say my fear was rational.

 

[Dismal Pillock]

Rd 6, Saturday 22 March. Eden Park

Blues v Crusaders

 

[Dan54]

Can't say I find it too easy to decide who will win this next one.. Blues look a better team when they not playing Plummer at 10, unless they go back to last years style of play (and do it properly). Crusaders are looking to come right, so got makings of interesting game for a neutral.

 

[KiwiM]

Blues will provide a tough challenge but unless Blues sort out their defensive discipline and can hold up at set piece they aren't going to be able to win

Sotutu at 8 and Perofeta at 10 will help.

Crusaders were very impressive last week however they were allowed to run riot. Blues in must win territory so I would like to think they'll make Crusaders work for it.

 

[Derpus]

I think the Crusaders have been made to look better than they really are by some pretty soft traveling Aussie performances. Force, in particular, had thrown in the towel before kick off. They got pumped by the Chiefs who are the real standard.

 

[Derpus]

Although I should follow that up by observing the Blues suck lol.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Loss Bleus early $1.82 favs on tab.co.nz, CruSadists paying $1.90

 

[Sully]

Loss Bleus early $1.82 favs on tab.co.nz, CruSadists paying $1.90

Really?

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

^ true story.

I think the Crusaders have been made to look better than they really are by some pretty soft traveling Aussie performances. Force, in particular, had thrown in the towel before kick off. They got pumped by the Chiefs who are the real standard.

The Reds win was a pretty good effort...

Crusaders doing what they often do at this time of year, playing way too loose. Soon they'll go through a phase of playing fast & loose in unsuitable conditions. Then it'll be duck shooting season, time to park up the Ferrari & bring out the Ranger Wildtrak. Not sure we have a 10 capable of piloting it, tho.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

BLUES (1-15): Joshua Fusitu'a, Kurt Eklund, Angus Ta'avao, Patrick Tuipulotu (c), Josh Beehre, Cam Christie, Dalton Papali'i, Hoskins Sotutu, Sam Nock, Stephen Perofeta, Caleb Clarke, Xavi Taele, Rieko Ioane, Mark Tele’a, Corey Evans

Replacements: James Mullan, Jordan Lay, Marcel Renata, Laghlan McWhannell, Tristyn Cook, Finlay Christie, Harry Plummer, Cole Forbes

CRUSADERS (1-15): Tamaiti Williams, Codie Taylor, Fletcher Newell, Scott Barrett, Antonio Shalfoon, Cullen Grace, Tom Christie, Christian Lio-Willie, Kyle Preston, Taha Kemara, Sevu Reece, David Havili (c), Dallas McLeod, Chay Fihaki, Will Jordan

Replacements: Ioane Moananu, George Bower, Seb Calder, Quinten Strange, Corey Kellow, Noah Hotham, James O'Connor, Macca Springer

 

[zer0]

Forwards starting to look more respectable now. Having Suafoa and Riccitelli available would've been very helpful though. Hopefully they're not too far away. Same goes for Lam. Good to see Nock and Taele retained. I will spend all my savings on eggs to chuck at the Alexandra Park HQ if Handbrake Christie starts another game.

EDIT: And Ofa. idk what's going on with the Blues scrum this year compared to last. It's all over the place, which doesn't bode well for this weekend.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Fun fact: CruSadists haven't won an away game since the 2023 GF.

Must be a comms issue at Killdozer Mission Control, or is @Dismal Pillock maintaining radio silence on purpose?

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Assistant Killdozer Mission Controller @zer0 is in position...

 

[dillyboy]

You guys lose the keys to the killdozer or something?

 

[Dan54]

It's bloody Beauden Barret's fault FFS!!! The Blues aren't going to win anything with him at 10!!!!


Shit! I just realised something!!!

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

You guys lose the keys to the killdozer or something?

@Dismal Pillock (screen right) & @zer0 (screen left) right now...

... the keys right now:

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

I know Penney promised not to use Havili at 10 this year but he may as well have 10.2 on his back tonight.

LOL Moanunu has a pretty decent kicking game as well...

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

This just in from Killdozer Mission Control